Dateline Dehradun: Valley of Words, Social Development for Communities Foundation and the Doon Library & Research Centre came together for a Citizens Condolence Meeting for 24-year-old Angel Chakma, to seek justice for the racially-spurred attack on this young MBA student from Nandannagar in West Tripura district. Chakma and his younger brother Michael were assaulted by a group of miscreants on December 9. Angel succumbed to his injuries on December 26.
The homage was well-attended by people across age groups who spoke with an overall sense of despondency about the unfortunate incident. Various citizens said that it was important for the city of Dehradun to take a range of measures to ensure that such incidents do not take place ever again in Uttarakhand.
Speaking on the occasion, N Ravishankar said, “We only hope that Dehradun and Uttarakhand will turn a new chapter from this episode.” Sanjay Aggarwal, who has been working in the Northeast for years, added, “My condolences to the bereaved family. There should be a conscientious effort so that shameful incidents like this never happen again.”
Doonite Inderpal Kohli, who assisted Angel’s father when he visited Dehradun to meet his son in the hospital, recalled those moments that he spent with the grieved family adding, “I am ashamed that such an incident took place in our ‘Devbhoomi.”
Mr. Indu Pande highlighted the fact as to how such a shameful incident was a blotch on any cultured civilisation. “These incidents make us think — where are we standing and what will be our future? This calls for deep introspection.”
Anoop Nautiyal reiterated the fact of how everyone present was, “Hanging our head in collective shame, for living in a society where a person can get killed for looking ‘different’.”
Kusum Rawat brought up the many students from the Northeast who study in Uttarakhand, and highlighted that we must send back the message, “that all students who come to Dehradun to study are safe and secure and ensure their families that nothing untoward will happen to them.”
In a powerful address, NS Napalchiyal stated, “This is the darkest hour for Dehradun and Uttarakhand — for us to assemble to hold a condolence meeting for a crime that was racially motivated. This was unthinkable for Uttarakhand and especially Dehradun. This is the time to redefine Indianness.”
Young student Sanjana Aggarwal spoke from her heart on behalf of all the youth stating, “I am very angry at this point. This should not have happened, and this is not the Dehradun where I grew up in.”
Octogenarian Jagmohan Mehdiratta pointed out, “I have lived here for 75 years. Dehradun is universally known for education and being a safe haven for students, until now!”
Angel’s roommate Rahul joined in the prayer meet and spoke about his promising roommate whose life was cut short.
Dr Sanjeev Chopra summed up the homage with a heartfelt tribute to Angel and a collective sense of shame as citizens of Doon for this tragedy. “All of us present here will take this solemn pledge that we shall spread the message of love and peace. And make an appeal to the Deans of universities that such incidents don’t happen ever again.” He added, “We hang our heads in shame. We stand with Angel’s family in this hour of grief.”
